By which two processes does glucose enter cells in the human body?

Active transport and diffusion.
Glucose is transported by active transport, against the concentration gradient, from the gut into intestinal epithelial cells. Whereas glucose is transported by facilitated diffusion into red blood cells.
In the gut the glucose level is high so if facilitated diffusion int the intestinal epithelial cells occurred it could be lethal so active transport is needed to bypass this concentration gradient. Where as red blood cells have a low glucose level so facilitated diffusion along a concentration gradient is suited in this situation.

RS
Answered by Robert S. Biology tutor

17364 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are the stages of drug testing?


Why shouldn't you take antibiotics for a cold?


Discuss the role of enzymes in digestion (4)


What is diffusion and what are the factors that influence the rate of diffusion? What are some of the ways diffusion is used in the body? What is it called when water is diffused through a semi permeable membrane?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning